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Marseille - Maxime Mbanda will make his first start in this year's Six Nations as
Italy coach Conor O'Shea made three changes for Friday's clash against
France in Marseille.

Zebre flanker Mbanda, who has 13 caps,
replaces Abraham Steyn in the back row beside captain Sergio Parisse
after Italy suffered their second heavy loss of the campaign, 56-19 to
Ireland, following an opening 46-15 defeat to champions England in Rome.

"On
the positive side, in two very tough games with teams like England and
Ireland, we scored five tries," said O'Shea after his side's eight-try
rout by the Irish.